<![CDATA[Northwest Regional Primary Care Association

<![CDATA[Northwest Regional Primary Care Association - Northwest Pulse Articles]]>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:52:31 -0800EditMySite<![CDATA[Remission in Major Depression: Results from a Geriatric Primary Care Population]]>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:57:48 GMThttps://www.nwrpca.org/northwest-pulse-articles/remission-in-major-depression-results-from-a-geriatric-primary-care-populationAzar AR, Chopra MP, Cho LY, Coakley E, Rudolph JL. Remission in major depression: results from a geriatric primary care population. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2011 Jan;26(1):48-55.

Depression is a common mental health problem in older adults, and is linked with increased medical comorbidity, disability, and mortality, underscoring the importance of complete treatment of depression to remission. Improvement in major depression that results in residual symptoms, often referred to as response, has been shown to be associated with earlier relapse and recurrence of depression, continued functional disability, and mortality in the elderly. Because most patients are treated for depression in the primary care setting, identifying predictors of poor outcome may provide clinicians with valuable information on those patients requiring close follow-up and monitoring.

Clink the link for the remainder of the article on Depression Remission: Remission in Major Depression: Results from a Geriatric Primary Care Population - PMC

NWRPCA welcomes and regularly publishes white papers and articles submitted by members, partners and associates with subject matter expertise. The appearance of any guest publication in our Health Center News database represents the views of the author and does not constitute endorsement by NWRPCA of the stated opinions or perspectives, nor does it suggest endorsement of the contributor's products or services.

]]><![CDATA[Improving Depression Screening in Primary Care: A Quality Improvement Initiative]]>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:55:27 GMThttps://www.nwrpca.org/northwest-pulse-articles/improving-depression-screening-in-primary-care-a-quality-improvement-initiativeImproving Depression Screening in Primary Care: A Quality Improvement Initiative
Sarah R. Blackstone et al. | Journal of Community Health | January 25, 2022

The increase in depression during the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of systematic approaches to identify individuals with mental health concerns. Primary care is often underutilized for depression screening, and it is not clear how practices can successfully increase screening rates. This study describes a quality improvement initiative to increase depression screening in five Family Medicine clinics. The initiative included four Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles that resulted in implementing a standardized workflow for depression screening, collaborative efforts with health information technology to prompt providers to perform screening via the medical record, delivering educational materials for providers and clinic staff and conducting follow-up education. Between September 2020 and April 2021 there were 23,745 clinic encounters with adult patients that were analyzed to determine whether patients were up-to-date on depression screening following their visit. A multi-level logistic regression model was constructed to determine the changes in likelihood of a patient being up-to-date on screening over the study period, while controlling for patient demographics and comorbidities. The average proportion of up-to-date patients increased from 61.03% in September 2020 to 82.33% in April 2021. Patients aged 65+ and patients with comorbidities were more likely to be up-to-date on screening; patients with telemedicine visits had lower odds of being up-to-date on depression screening. Overall, this paper describes a feasible, effective intervention to increase depression screening in a primary care setting. Additionally, we discuss lessons learned and recommendations to inform the design of future interventions.

Link to the full article on Depression Screening: Improving Depression Screening in Primary Care: A Quality Improvement Initiative - PMC

]]><![CDATA[The relationship between community public health, behavioral health service accessibility, and mass incarceration]]>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:53:48 GMThttps://www.nwrpca.org/northwest-pulse-articles/the-relationship-between-community-public-health-behavioral-health-service-accessibility-and-mass-incarcerationRamezani, N., Breno, A.J., Mackey, B.J. et al. The relationship between community public health, behavioral health service accessibility, and mass incarceration. BMC Health Serv Res 22, 966 (2022).

The relationship between healthcare service accessibility in the community and incarceration is an important, yet not widely understood, phenomenon. Community behavioral health and the criminal legal systems are treated separately, which creates a competing demand to confront mass incarceration and expand available services. As a result, the relationship between behavioral health services, demographics and community factors, and incarceration rate has not been well addressed. Understanding potential drivers of incarceration, including access to community-based services, is necessary to reduce entry into the legal system and decrease recidivism. This study identifies county-level demographic, socioeconomic, healthcare services availability/accessibility, and criminal legal characteristics that predict per capita jail population across the U.S. More than 10 million individuals pass through U.S. jails each year, increasing the urgency of addressing this challenge.

Please follow the link for the remainder of the article: The relationship between community public health, behavioral health service accessibility, and mass incarceration | BMC Health Services Research | Springer Nature Link

]]><![CDATA[Research on the prevalence and treatment of mental illness in the criminal legal system]]>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:52:17 GMThttps://www.nwrpca.org/northwest-pulse-articles/research-on-the-prevalence-and-treatment-of-mental-illness-in-the-criminal-legal-systemKey stats and resource links from: Mental health | Prison Policy Initiative

]]><![CDATA[The Bridging Priorities Guide and the Strengthening Collaboration Worksheet are complementary resources designed to be used together]]>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:48:22 GMThttps://www.nwrpca.org/northwest-pulse-articles/the-bridging-priorities-guide-and-the-strengthening-collaboration-worksheet-are-complementary-resources-designed-to-be-used-togetherPublished by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Primary Health Care

"Bridging Priorities: A Cross-Sector Guide for Health Centers and Carceral Facilities" - This guide helps health centers and carceral facilities understand each other’s missions, constraints and operating environments. Pair this guide with the Strengthening Collaboration Worksheet (see below) to move from understanding to action, co-designing processes that improve continuity of care and support successful reentry. "Strengthening Collaboration: A Worksheet to Help Health Centers and Carceral Facilities Work Together Effectively" - This practical worksheet offers strategies and actionable steps for health centers and carceral facilities to collaborate effectively to support continuity of care and successful reentry.

Please follow the link for or scroll down for the remainder of the article on Justice Involved Populations: Bridging Priorities: A Cross Sector Guide for Health Centers and Carceral Facilities
Bridging Priorities: A Cross-Sector Guide for Health Centers and Carceral Facilities
Strengthening Collaboration: Worksheet to Help Health Centers and Carceral Facilities Work Together

]]><![CDATA[Cervical Cancer Among Agricultural Worker Women: Prevalence and Best Practices By: Farmworker Justice & Health Outreach Partners]]>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:44:47 GMThttps://www.nwrpca.org/northwest-pulse-articles/cervical-cancer-among-agricultural-worker-women-prevalence-and-best-practices-by-farmworker-justice-health-outreach-partnersBy: Farmworker Justice & Health Outreach Partners

To better understand the impact of cervical cancer among Migratory and Seasonal Agricultural (MSAW) women, we must recognize the level of awareness regarding the disease and the available care within this population. To achieve this, Farmworker Justice and Health Outreach Partners convened two listening sessions during the 2023-2024 East Coast Stream Forum and Midwest Stream Forum (now known as the Agricultural Worker Health Symposia). During the “Cervical Cancer in MSAW Families” sessions, participants received an overview of cervical cancer and the innovative approaches that exist for prevention and screening. Participants from health centers, primary care associations, and community-based organizations then had the opportunity to share challenges and promising practices associated with cervical cancer screenings in their communities. This report aims to convey the participants' insights and highlight promising practices in educating MSAW communities about cervical cancer.

Click the link or scroll down for more on Cancer Screening: Final Designed - Cervical Cancer Report

]]><![CDATA[Level Up Your Diabetes Care Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support]]>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:42:44 GMThttps://www.nwrpca.org/northwest-pulse-articles/level-up-your-diabetes-care-dsmesLEVEL UP YOUR DIABETES CARE DSMES and the National DPP (2023)

Integrating the National DPP lifestyle change program into your established DSMES services can help you maximize your impact on diabetes with a comprehensive suite of services.

DCES has worked with more than 47 DSMES organizations to become CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Programs in 17 states. All of these organizations have received funding from the CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. By becoming recognized, DSMES organizations ensure high-quality programming and impact. Many of these organizations, which are embedded in both rural and urban community areas, feature a large number of individuals in historically marginalized and underserved communities (Latinos, African Americans, Medicare beneficiaries and others), as well as men. People from these groups had previously been under enrolling in lifestyle change programs relative to their risk for type 2 diabetes. Many organizations start with grant funding. But by starting with a strong foundation (that is, DSMES), you are already ahead of the curve! reached full CDC Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program (DPRP) recognition status (70%) received pending or preliminary recognition status (11%) applied to be Medicare DPP suppliers (26%) Read more about increasing access to the National DPP through an array of networks, including DSMES.

Click the link or scroll down for the remainder of the article: level-up-your-diabetes-care_dsmes-to-dpp.pdf

]]><![CDATA[Becoming a Teaching Health Center: TIPS FOR HEALTH CENTER BOARDS]]>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:50:50 GMThttps://www.nwrpca.org/northwest-pulse-articles/becoming-a-teaching-health-center-tips-for-health-center-boardsPublished by National Association of Community Health Centers (2022)

Fewer and fewer medical school graduates are pursuing careers in primary care, many current primary care providers plan to retire, and the pandemic has made it more challenging to retain existing providers. Teaching Health Centers aim to ensure that primary care providers continue to work in low-income communities, by providing training at federally qualified health centers (“health centers” in this document) and similar sites. Research by the Institute of Family Health, based in New York, shows that residents who train in health centers and look alikes are more likely to practice in medically underserved areas.

]]><![CDATA[A Guide to Essential Cybersecurity Tasks for Health Centers: For Health Centers With Limited Resources]]>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:39:21 GMThttps://www.nwrpca.org/northwest-pulse-articles/a-guide-to-essential-cybersecurity-tasks-for-health-centers-for-health-centers-with-limited-resourcesPublished by HITEQ: A Guide to Essential Cybersecurity Tasks for Health Centers

In an increasingly connected healthcare landscape, health centers face a dual challenge: the rising tide of cyber threats and the need to comply with stringent data protection regulations, all while managing limited resources. The ever-evolving nature of cyberattacks and the complexity of compliance requirements make it essential for health centers to prioritize cybersecurity tasks effectively.

Many Health Center leaders, IT Managers, and Compliance Directors are trying to ensure that they are properly addressing the ongoing tasks related to compliance and security. The guide, available for download below, provides the baseline of day-to-day tasks that health center IT and Compliance staff should consider to protect their systems and comply with regulatory requirements. References and recommended frequency for each task are included as well.

Download A Guide to Essential Cybersecurity Tasks for Health Centers
Source

NWRPCA welcomes and regularly publishes white papers and articles submitted by members, partners and associates with subject matter expertise. The appearance of any guest publication in our Health Center News database represents the views of the author and does not constitute endorsement by NWRPCA of the stated opinions or perspectives, nor does it suggest endorsement of the contributor's products or services.]]><![CDATA[Confidentiality in the Age of Open Notes]]>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:28:31 GMThttps://www.nwrpca.org/northwest-pulse-articles/february-26th-2026Authored by: Elizabeth Miller, MD, PhD and Jake Sese, MPH

The shifts toward telemedicine and newly expanded patient access to medical records, driven in part by the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act), have brought significant changes to how health information is documented and shared. The Cures Act was put into place to address “information blocking” which can obstruct communication that could be used to improve patient care. Withholding data from electronic health records (EHRs) or failing to provide access to medical records can impact care coordination and can harm a patient. However, as more patients, including survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), human trafficking (HT), and exploitation (E), gain access to their EHRs, the potential for breaches of confidentiality and harm increases. Specific attention is needed to protect confidentiality and privacy for survivors. This brief explores confidentiality policies and practices, safety considerations for survivors, methods for disclosing limits of confidentiality to patients, EHR adaptations, tracking IPV/HT/E measures in the Uniform Data System (UDS), and client-centered approaches to care.

Please follow this link or scroll down to continue the remainder of this article: Confidentiality in the Age of Open Notes - July 2025 FINAL

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